Elis

Elis ē´lĭs [key], region of ancient Greece, in W Peloponnesus, W of Arcadia. It was divided into three parts—Elis proper, Pisatis, and Triphylia. A plain watered by the Alpheus and the Peneus rivers, Elis was notable as a place for breeding horses and growing flax. The Olympic games were held at Olympia . Other important cities were Pisa and Elis. The Elians were early allied with the Spartans but fell out with them in 420 BC As a result, Elis lost (399 BC) Triphylia. Elis declined after the Olympic games were suppressed in the 4th cent. AD